Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
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Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
I'm looking for the correct word, or an appropriate word or words, to describe those little decorative boxes, often handpainted, or made of exotic wood, jade or tortoiseshell, sometimes inlaid with other materials. They were most frequently found on a vanity table, but often found on a desk or other piece of furniture. Nowadays we keep earrings, keys and other easy-to-lose small items in them.
I am reluctant to just call it a box, without spending half a paragraph explaining what distinguishes it from an ordinary box. A one sentence or half a sentence should be sufficient, if I know what to call it.
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
Sounds like you're describing a Lady's Work box, originally for storing sewing supplies, ribbon, needles, thread , and other easy-to-lose small items. If you do a Google image search for "ladies work box" or "lady's work box" you can find several examples to make sure that is what you are thinking of.
Both my mother and grandmother had small, six sided, decorative boxes they kept sewing supplies in. They just called them "sewing boxes".
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
No, no, smaller than a work box. I have one with cloissone and one in rosewood - bout are round and about 2-1/2 inches in diameter and a 1/2 to 3/4 inch tall, with unattached lids that simply rest on top.
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
Hmm. Pill box perhaps?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1900s-ANTIQUE-CHINESE-CLOISONNE-ENAMEL-PILL-BOX-/150715666558?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item23175a907e
Other examples
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Pill-Boxes-/14082/i.html
(Disclaimer, yo! Links intended for the sole purpose of providing examples of the type and in no way as an advertisement for, or endorsement of the sale or purchase of these items through the above auction service or any other online services. Any resemblance of these boxes to any boxes appearing in your Historical Fiction Nano, finished or unfinished, is likely coincidental as I am far from an expert on small decorative boxes and am really just guessing at this point.)
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
Another term, specifically applied to the lacquered boxes, usually black, is a Japan box. That's where they originated, along with a lot of other lacquer work. They often included ornamental painting, but seldom had inlays. Later versions included inlaid work, but usually only on the top.
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
I don't know if there is a general name - I can only find names that relate either to their purpose - snuff boxes, comfit boxes, even patch boxes are all about the size I think you mean - or their appearance - lacquer boxes, inlaid boxes, Sevres porcelain boxes.
I suppose they might have said 'casket', but that has picked up another meaning, which makes googling for little caskets rather depressing.
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
How about trinket box? Japanned was a term that was used sometimes.
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
what about a lacquered box? a collectible, often brought back from the Orient as a souvenir for a loved one; usually painted black (black lacquer) w/ scenes of country life or daily life painted on the box; inlaid with mother of pearl
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
If you mean somethink like that:
http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Tabakdose.jpg&filetimestamp=20090408090032
in German it would called a "Tabakdose" or "Schnupftabakdose". Maybe it could be translated with snuffbox.
Re: Those little decorative boxes - term or synonym
On the Antiques Roadshow they usually call them snuff boxes. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/550707/snuffbox